August 7, 2024 Devo

Probably one of the most sobering things you can ever witness is hearing your child say something rude or horrible, or do something dumb or dangerous, and realize they learned it from YOU! Suddenly you realize that you are not only being watched; you are being IMITATED. The good, the bad, the ugly. Kids watch and mimic it ALL.
Jesus talks about the power of teaching the wrong things in our passage today. Though few of us would intentionally teach someone else to do wrong, we do it nonetheless. Because “teaching” isn’t just standing in front of a class or sitting down with handout sheets or giving instructions. We teach others by the way we LIVE—whether we want to or not.
Think about it with me. When someone calls our home and asks for us and we say to whoever answers it, “Tell them I’m not here,” what have we communicated to those around us? We’ve taught them that lying is okay. Then when they lie to us, we’re outraged and say, “I taught you better than that!” Did we? Or how about when we gossip or talk bad about someone from work or someone from church? Maybe we even throw in some not-so-nice names or adjectives while we’re at it. Then when we hear our kids or grandkids talk about someone like that, we’re incredulous and we reprimand them or punish them. Or how about when we get snippy or whiny or in a mode where we’re complaining about everything? We’re impatient with other drivers. We’re demanding with our waiters or the clerk at Walmart. We’re sharp and cutting with our spouse. Then when our kids or grandkids do it, we threaten to smack them for having an “attitude.” Is it any wonder our kids grow up so confused. It’s not “the world” that’s confusing them. It’s US. And we need to own it.
Let’s make a commitment today. Let’s commit to be better examples to the people in our sphere of influence. Every single one of us are teachers. We’re teaching with our lives, every day and all the time. Let’s make sure we’re not teaching the wrong lessons. Let’s repent of being among “the least.” Let’s be “the best.” The power of your influence is greater than you think. That’s God’s Word for you today.